On April 10 1741, at the Battle of Mollwitz, Schwerin justified his sovereign's choice by his brilliant leadership, which, when the king had disappeared from the field, converted a doubtful battle into a victory which decided for the time being the fate of Silesia.

In 1742, after the conclusion of the First Silesian War, Schwerin was governor of the important fortresses of Brieg and Neisse.

In the Second Silesian War (1744-1745), Schwerin commanded the army which, marching from Glatz, met the King's army under the walls of Prague. Schwerin then played an important role in the siege and capture of that place (September 16 1744). When Frederick II was compelled to retreat from Bohemia, Schwerin again distinguished himself. He then retired to his estate during the years of peace.

In 1756, at the outbreak of the Seven Years' War, Schwerin reappeared on the field. While Frederick II led the invasion of Saxony, Schwerin conducted operations in Eastern Bohemia.

In 1757, when the Prussian army proceeded to the invasion of Bohemia, Schwerin led one of the Prussian columns. He joined Frederick at Prague. On May 6, he took an active part in the Battle of Prague. While leading a regiment of the left wing to the attack with its colour in his hand, the old field marshal was shot dead.

References

This article incorporates texts from the article "Schwerin, Kurt Christoph, count von" of the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed. London: Cambridge University Press, 1911), a publication now in the public domain.